Description
This Black Forest Trifle is a decadent layered dessert that combines moist chocolate cake, luscious cherry pie filling, creamy chocolate pudding, and fluffy homemade whipped cream. It’s beautifully garnished with fresh cherries and chocolate shavings for a stunning presentation. Perfect for special occasions or to impress your guests, this no-bake assembly dessert offers all the classic Black Forest flavors in a super easy trifle format.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- One 9×13 chocolate cake or brownie, baked according to package or recipe directions (or use easy homemade chocolate sheet cake recipe)
Cherry Layer
- 30 ounces cherry pie filling (approx 2 cups), store bought or homemade
- 4 ounces kirsch or cherry brandy (or any cherry liqueur or amaretto; cherry juice for non-alcoholic version)
Pudding
- 2 boxes chocolate pudding mix (90 grams each), prepared according to directions or using homemade version
Whipped Cream
- 1 ½ cups cold heavy whipping cream or double cream
- 2-4 tablespoons (15-30 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Garnishing
- Fresh cherries
- Shaved chocolate
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Icing sugar or cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Bake the chocolate cake according to the package instructions or your chosen homemade recipe. Once baked, allow it to cool completely. Then cut the cake into 1-inch cubes to create even layers in the trifle.
- Prepare the Pudding: Make the chocolate pudding by following the directions on the box or by using your homemade pudding recipe. Allow the pudding to cool completely before assembly to avoid melting the whipped cream.
- Make the Whipped Cream: In a large bowl, either using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or a handheld mixer, combine the cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Begin mixing at low speed until the cream starts to thicken, then increase speed to medium-high. Whip until stiff peaks form, taking care not to overwhip.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a medium-sized trifle bowl, place half of the cubed chocolate cake at the bottom, pressing down lightly. Drizzle half of the kirsch or chosen cherry liqueur over the cake. Next, spread half of the prepared chocolate pudding over the cake layer. Spoon half of the cherry pie filling evenly on top, followed by half of the whipped cream layer. Repeat the layers exactly once more, ending with a final layer of whipped cream.
- Chill: Cover the trifle bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 to 4 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together and the dessert to set nicely.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, decorate the top with fresh cherries, shaved chocolate, chocolate sprinkles, and a light dusting of icing sugar or cocoa powder for an elegant finish. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Kirsch or cherry brandy adds authentic flavor but can be substituted with cherry juice for a non-alcoholic version.
- You can use store-bought cake or brownies to save preparation time.
- If short on time, use store-bought whipped topping instead of making homemade whipped cream.
- The trifle can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated to enhance the flavors.
- Ensure pudding and cake are fully cooled before assembling to maintain the whipped cream texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/8 of trifle)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
